Former President Donald Trump’s recent rally in Montana attracted thousands of supporters as the Republican nominee looks to hit the right note with voters ahead of Election Day. However, Trump and his campaign are striking the wrong chord with some thanks to the music that was played at the event.
One of those not singing the praises of the former president is Celine Dion. Her performance of her Academy Award-winning song “My Heart Will Go On” could be seen on the rally’s video screen Friday night, Aug. 9.
Dion’s management team said the song was not authorized and posted a message to social media the following day.
“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go On” at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana,” the team said. “In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?”
Around the same time, the family of the late R&B singer Isaac Hayes also took to social media after Trump used the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” to close out the same rally, as he did at last month’s Republican National Convention. The song was written by Hayes for the duo Sam & Dave.
His family released a notice of copyright infringement demanding that the Trump campaign cease playing the song and others by Hayes; remove all Trump-related videos featuring the song, issue an official statement that the family did not give permission to play the song and pay $3 million for the unauthorized use by Friday, Aug. 16.
Hayes’ family claims to have found 134 instances of copyright infringement between 2022 and 2024. Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, posted a video to social media to respond to those questioning his family’s rights to the song.
“The copyright to ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’ expired March 15, 2022. It returned to our family on that date,” Hayes III said. “So we are the ones who own the copyright to ‘Hold On, I’m Coming.’ Think about that. Typically, in these situations, it goes a little differently because they are publishing companies involved and everybody wants to remain neutral. But I don’t have to act like that. I don’t have to follow those rules.”
These are just the latest artists to request Trump to stop using their work at his political rallies, joining the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Adele and the Beatles.
With all that said, some musicians are singing a different tune and backing the former president.
Last month, during a concert in Utah, rapper Waka Flocka Flame told Biden supporters in attendance to leave and gave a shoutout to Trump. Singer Kid Rock performed at the Republican National Convention getting attendees to chant along “fight!” shortly before Trump’s address.
The Trump campaign has not issued a response to the requests by Celine Dion’s management or Isaac Hayes’ family.
Trump is scheduled to hold another campaign event on Wednesday, Aug. 14, in North Carolina. While many will be listening to what the former president has to say, some well-known names will be listening to the music and hoping it’s not theirs.
